Fabrication, characterization, cathodoluminescence, and field-emission properties of silica (SiO2) nanostructures

High-quality one dimensional amorphous SiO2 nanostructures with different morphologies (nanowires and starfish-like nanostructures) are synthesized through a simple catalysis-free approach and effective thermal evaporation process. The morphologies, microstructures, and compositions of the products are investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A promising optical property (cathodoluminescence (CL) in a strong ultraviolet (UV) emission and a weak blue emission at room temperature) was detected in the as-synthesized nanostructures. Field-emission measurements show that the SiO2 nanostructures may also be a promising FE emitter candidate if we can improve the conductivity and decrease the density of the nanostructures.